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Ex-Snider standout scores 22 against IU

EVANSTON, Ill. – Fatigue? Reggie Hearn has no time for fatigue. Not with Northwestern fighting for postseason history, not with his final college season opportunity shrinking with each game.

On Sunday the former Snider High School standout got his shot at Indiana and never left the court. Hearn totaled a game-high 22 points, one off his career high, in Sunday's 67-59 Hoosier victory. He was 7-for-12 from the field and 8-for-9 from the line. He added three rebounds, one assist and one block.

This is what coach Bill Carmody has come to expect from the former walk-on, who leads Northwestern in scoring (14.1 point) and is second in rebounding (4.7) while shooting 50.7 percent from the field.

“He's been playing well all year,” Carmody said. “He's a good defender. He's a senior. That's what is expected of him. He knows that. He's doing his share.”

Hearn, a 6-4 senior guard, was one of three 40-minute men for the Wildcats. It was the third time Jared Swopshire and Dave Sobolewski had played at least 40 minutes this season, and the first for Hearn, although he did play 39 minutes last week at Illinois.

“We're getting used to it,” Hearn said of the heavy minute load. “I wouldn't say it bothered us a whole lot.”

Hearn is close to full strength after an ankle injury limited him in recent weeks. He has 42 points in his last two games.

Did his numbers mean anything?

Not after a loss.

“I'd much rather have had a W than 22 points,” he said. “I do enjoy playing Indiana teams. But I'm a Northwestern Wildcat. I don't worry about those other teams.

“We were hoping to get a big win in our arena. We weren't able to do that.”

With an 11-8 record, 2-4 in the Big Ten, the Wildcats' preseason goal of reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history has become more difficult.

“This is our last chance,” Hearn said. “We think we have the guys to do it. I see us giving 100 percent every game the rest of the way.”